Probate Notes: Your Guide to Navigating California Probate Law

R. Sam Price
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Welcome to Probate Notes, your go-to podcast for navigating the complexities of California probate law. Hosted by R. Sam Price, a seasoned probate attorney, Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, and author of The 6-Stage Probate Process, this podcast breaks down probate practice with expert insights, practical strategies, and real-world solutions for attorneys, paralegals, fiduciaries, and professionals in the probate industry. Each episode dives into key topics, from foundational probate concepts to advanced litigation strategies, helping you master the nuances of probate practice. Whether it's fixing court examiner deficiencies, tackling probate litigation, or staying ahead of legislative updates, you'll get actionable guidance to streamline your cases and elevate your expertise. Expect guest interviews with top probate attorneys, fiduciaries, and legal experts, as well as a dedicated segment answering listener questions. Whether you're a seasoned probate attorney or just starting in the field, Probate Notes will help you navigate probate with confidence, clarity, and efficiency. 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Submit your questions and be part of the conversation!

  1. 038: Bruno Bianchi's 4 Pillars of Attorney Wellness

    3D AGO

    038: Bruno Bianchi's 4 Pillars of Attorney Wellness

    In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam sits down with Bruno Bianchi, a veteran fitness coach and personal trainer with over 25 years of experience, to explore how busy legal professionals can take better care of their bodies — and why it matters more than they might think. Bruno breaks down the four key pillars of sustainable health: exercise, nutrition, sleep, and social connection, making the case that physical wellbeing is directly tied to mental clarity, focus, and professional performance. Bruno shares practical, realistic strategies tailored for high-stress careers — from short, effective strength training sessions to smarter sleep habits and the often-overlooked power of genuine social time. His message is clear: consistency beats perfection, and small, sustainable habits compound into lasting results. For any attorney who's ever skipped a workout, grabbed fast food between hearings, or stared at the ceiling at midnight — this one's for you. In this episode, you will hear: Why physical health directly impacts mental clarity, focus, and professional performance The four pillars of sustainable wellness — exercise, nutrition, sleep, and social connection How to build an effective strength and cardio routine in as little as 30 minutes, two to three times a week Simple, realistic nutrition strategies for busy professionals on the go The critical role of quality sleep and how to build a wind-down routine that actually works Why social connection and time in nature are essential — not optional — components of overall health Training smart over training hard, and why consistency always beats perfection Resources from this Episode www.performance-pro1.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_pro74  The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    44 min
  2. 037: Probate Vehicles Made Easy with Natalie Armenta of Carstub

    MAR 24

    037: Probate Vehicles Made Easy with Natalie Armenta of Carstub

    In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam sits down with Natalie Armenta, a probate and fiduciary vehicle specialist at Carstub, to break down one of probate's most overlooked challenges — what to do with a deceased person's car. From understanding AND vs. OR titles to navigating duplicate title paperwork, death certificates, and DMV fees, Natalie walks through the full process of getting a vehicle properly transferred or sold during a California probate case. Natalie also covers practical strategies attorneys and fiduciaries need to know — like placing a vehicle on non-operational status to stop accumulating DMV fees, and how junking a car can actually wipe out fees that exceed the vehicle's value. With nearly 25 years at Carstub, Natalie brings deep hands-on expertise to every step of the vehicle disposition process — making her an invaluable resource for any probate professional dealing with estate vehicles. In this episode, you will hear: AND vs. OR vehicle titles and how each affects the sale process in probate Required paperwork for transferring or duplicating a vehicle title in California How death certificates factor into probate vehicle sales Placing a vehicle on non-operational (non-op) status to avoid accumulating DMV fees When junking a car is the smartest option and how it eliminates outstanding DMV fees How Carstub handles the full vehicle disposition process, from towing to paperwork Tips for out-of-state or remote sellers dealing with probate vehicles in California Resources from this Episode The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  https://carstub.com/fiduciary/ Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    37 min
  3. 036: Probate Cash Advances with James Leestma

    MAR 17

    036: Probate Cash Advances with James Leestma

    In this episode, Sam sits down with James Leestma — attorney, estate litigator, and owner of Advance Inheritance LLC — to break down everything you need to know about probate cash advances. Whether you're dealing with a looming foreclosure, an heir who can't afford to relocate, or a beneficiary who needs legal representation, a probate cash advance might be the solution you didn't know existed. James explains how these non-recourse assignments work, how they differ from traditional loans, and how they can be structured to benefit the estate as a whole. James brings a combination of legal expertise and investment experience, having reviewed thousands of probate estates through his work at Advance Inheritance LLC. He covers lien priority, underwriting considerations, early repayment discounts, and real-world use cases practitioners encounter every day. If you've ever been out of options in a probate matter, this episode is your next move. In this episode, you will hear: What probate cash advances are and how they differ from traditional loans How non-recourse assignments work and what heirs can and can't assign Common use cases including foreclosure prevention, relocation costs, and legal retainers Lien priority rules when an heir takes multiple assignments from multiple companies How attorneys can use cash advances as a fast alternative to ex parte injunctions Early repayment discounts and how assignments get satisfied at final distribution Resources from this Episode https://advanceinheritance.com/ https://www.jamesleestmaprobate.com/ The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    34 min
  4. 035: Music Royalties & Probate Explained with Iver Scott

    MAR 10

    035: Music Royalties & Probate Explained with Iver Scott

    What happens when a hit song, a music catalog, or even a celebrity's name and likeness becomes part of a probate estate? In this episode, Sam welcomes Iver Scott of Scott Valuation, LLC, a specialist in intellectual property valuation, to break down how IP assets are valued in an estate context — from discounted cash flow analysis to the rare cases where comparable sales can apply. Iver shares what goes into valuing music catalogs, how reversion and recapture rights affect value, and the critical distinction between valuing an asset immediately before versus after an artist's death — a nuance that played out in a landmark tax court case involving the Michael Jackson estate. Iver's insights are essential listening for any probate professional who may encounter IP assets in an estate. In this episode, you will hear: How intellectual property valuation sits at the intersection of art and science Discounted cash flow analysis explained — and why future cash flows are worth less than cash in hand today When comparable sales methodology works for music catalogs (and when it doesn't) The role of genre, commercial trajectory, and an artist's "S curve" in valuing a song Reversion and recapture rights and how they impact the value of music copyrights Inside the Michael Jackson estate valuation — name, image, and likeness under the microscope Why the timing of a valuation (immediately before vs. after an artist's death) can mean a difference of tens of millions of dollars in estate tax Resources from this Episode The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  iver.scott@scottvaluation.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/iver-scott-1731a937/ https://www.scottvaluation.com/ Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    35 min
  5. 034: Hidden Assets & Missing Heirs with M. Jason Ross

    MAR 3

    034: Hidden Assets & Missing Heirs with M. Jason Ross

    Ever wonder how professional fiduciaries play detective to track down heirs and uncover hidden assets? In this episode, Sam sits down with M. Jason Ross, a licensed professional fiduciary with Kaalund Professional Fiduciary and Trustee Services, to break down the investigative side of probate administration. From using tools like Spokeo to cross-search social media platforms, to pulling six months of pre-death bank statements, Jason shares the real-world strategies that surface assets most people never think to look for. Jason also covers unclaimed property searches, including one case where a simple search turned up nearly $70,000, and how insurance policy locators can identify policies even when beneficiaries don't know which company holds them. If probate asset searches have ever left you feeling lost, this episode is your roadmap. In this episode, you will hear: How professional fiduciaries use tools like Spokeo to locate missing heirs across social media platforms Why online directories and public records searches work best with more than just a name Pulling six months of pre-death bank statements to uncover unknown accounts and financial activity Using payment apps like Venmo as a trail to identify family members and financial relationships How unclaimed property searches can yield surprising results — sometimes tens of thousands of dollars The insurance policy locator as a tool for finding life insurance and annuities beneficiaries didn't know existed Resources from this Episode https://www.kaalundfiduciary.com/ The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    41 min
  6. 033: California Will Contests with Kevin Snyder

    FEB 24

    033: California Will Contests with Kevin Snyder

    Will contests can turn an already emotional probate matter into full-blown litigation. In this episode, Sam sits down with Kevin Snyder of Snyder Law PC to unpack what really happens when someone challenges a will in California. They talk about why seemingly "equal" distributions still spark disputes, how dueling wills arise, and what attorneys need to know about procedural traps, notice requirements, and strict 120-day deadlines. Kevin walks through the burden of proof, common mistakes lawyers make, and why will contests demand technical precision from day one. If you've ever wondered who has to prove what, when a will can be attacked, or how to protect yourself from malpractice exposure in these cases, this conversation is for you. Keep your filings clean and your strategy sharper than the objections. In this episode, you will hear: Why "equal" distributions still lead to will contests Common grounds for challenging a will in California Dueling wills and what happens when multiple versions surface Holographic wills and execution requirements Strict procedural rules and 120-day contest deadlines Burden of proof in probate litigation Resources from this Episode Website: https://www.snyderlawpc.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorneykevinsnyder/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SnyderLawPC/ The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    39 min
  7. 032: High Conflict in Probate with Megan Hunter

    FEB 17

    032: High Conflict in Probate with Megan Hunter

    High conflict cases can drain your time, your energy, and your confidence. In this episode, Sam sits down with Megan Hunter of the High Conflict Institute to break down what's really happening when personalities derail probate matters. They talk about high conflict personality types, why logic alone doesn't work, and how understanding someone's "operating system" can completely change your strategy. Megan shares practical tools you can use immediately, including E.A.R. statements (Empathy, Attention, Respect), the BIFF response method for hostile emails, and how to set firm limits without escalating the situation. If you've ever received a nasty-gram or felt like you're working harder than your own client, this episode is for you. High conflict behavior is predictable and manageable when you have the right framework. In this episode, you will hear: What drives high conflict personalities in legal cases The five high conflict personality types and their core fears Why logic alone fails with high conflict clients Using E.A.R. statements to deescalate emotional reactions The BIFF method for responding to hostile emails Setting firm limits without escalating conflict Avoiding self-doubt and overworking difficult cases Resources from this Episode https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/podcasts/ https://www.conflictinfluencer.com/ The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    45 min
  8. 031: Adjudicated Newspapers in CA Probate with Margie Miller

    FEB 10

    031: Adjudicated Newspapers in CA Probate with Margie Miller

    In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam is joined by Margie Miller, publisher of City News Group, to pull back the curtain on adjudicated newspapers and why they matter so much in probate cases. They dig into what "general circulation" actually means, how newspapers become court-approved for legal notices, and the role proper publication plays in due process, from petitions for probate to notices of sale and service by publication. Margie brings nearly two decades of experience as a newspaper publisher and explains how legal notices work in the real world, common mistakes attorneys and self-represented parties make, and how modern tools like online submission and proofing have streamlined what used to be a very manual process. If you handle probate filings in California, this is a practical, behind-the-scenes conversation you'll want to hear. In this episode, you will hear: What makes a newspaper legally adjudicated for probate notices General circulation explained and why it matters for due process Probate publication deadlines and how weekly schedules affect hearings Common mistakes that force costly republication How online submission and proofing reduce publication errors Best practices for attorneys handling probate and court-ordered notices Resources from this Episode https://www.citynewsgroup.com/ The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    37 min
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About

Welcome to Probate Notes, your go-to podcast for navigating the complexities of California probate law. Hosted by R. Sam Price, a seasoned probate attorney, Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, and author of The 6-Stage Probate Process, this podcast breaks down probate practice with expert insights, practical strategies, and real-world solutions for attorneys, paralegals, fiduciaries, and professionals in the probate industry. Each episode dives into key topics, from foundational probate concepts to advanced litigation strategies, helping you master the nuances of probate practice. Whether it's fixing court examiner deficiencies, tackling probate litigation, or staying ahead of legislative updates, you'll get actionable guidance to streamline your cases and elevate your expertise. Expect guest interviews with top probate attorneys, fiduciaries, and legal experts, as well as a dedicated segment answering listener questions. Whether you're a seasoned probate attorney or just starting in the field, Probate Notes will help you navigate probate with confidence, clarity, and efficiency. 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Submit your questions and be part of the conversation!

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